Page 38 of The Marriage Game

Mr. Darcy had visited the stables before making the purchase, of course, and he thought it an excellent property for Richard and Caroline, assuming that she accepted his offer of marriage. The house was large and quite modern, and being just an hour away from Town should satisfy Caroline’s need for society. The cost of the estate had been rather higher than he had led Richard to believe, but it did not signify. Getting Richard out of harm’s way - and Miss Bingley out of Jane’s way all at once - was worth any price. He only wished he had thought of Elmstree sooner!

The two carriages were on their way to Elmstree by a quarter after noon. The journey was, as Mr. Darcy knew, a mere hour once they were out of London traffic. Elizabeth watched Richard fidget with his watch and his coat, and then she saw him begin to tear his cravat to pieces. She did her best to suppress her grin. “Richard.”

“Yes, Elizabeth?”

“You are nervous.”

“Who, me? I am the calmest person in the world!”

“Truly? Then your cravat must have done something to offend you this morning.”

He looked down at the piece of white linen and flushed. “Not nervous, exactly, but…”

“But you very much hope that Caroline will be favorably impressed with Elmstree Stables.”

Richard sighed. “Do you think she would prefer to live in Town?”

Georgiana realised with a start that Richard and Caroline were – well, involved somehow! How had she not understood that? Then she recalled Caroline’s words about the first gentleman and the second gentleman! But was Richard the first gentleman, the one she had lost her heart to but was unlikely to make her an offer, or the second gentleman, the one who was likely to make an offer, but whom she did not love?

Georgiana blurted out, “She would prefer to live with the gentleman she is in love with, whoever and wherever he may be.”

Richard looked astonished. “How do you know this?”

“Unlikely as it seems, we have become friends, Caroline and I.”

“And on a first-name basis! I never thought to see the day,” Elizabeth laughed.

“She is quite nice once you get to know her!” Georgiana defended her new friend.

Richard was thinking furiously. Miss Bingley was in love! She had said that she was indifferent to Mr. Lindsay. But if Georgiana was right, there was another suitor for whom she felt a good deal! Might that other suitor not be himself? She had not mentioned anyone else. But then again, she was unlikely to open her heart to him; it would be up to him to speak first. He turned his face to look out the window, his thoughts in a whirl.

***

Caroline was staring out the window of the Bingley carriage. The Colonel would soon be a Colonel no longer; he would be Mr. Fitzwilliam, son of the Earl and Countess of Matlock, with an estate that was – well, not his own, but it very likely would be someday. If the Earl and Countess approved…if he loved Caroline at all…but what if there was another young lady his parents wanted for him? It was impossible to be certain!

When they arrived at Elmstree, Caroline was immediately impressed with the size of the property, as well as the size of the house. It was as big as Netherfield!

Mr. Darcy led the way to the house and introduced himself to the housekeeper, Mrs. Scarlett. She curtsied to him, saying, “We were told to expect you, Mr. Darcy.”

“My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will be living on the property and managing the stables, Mrs. Scarlett. This is my wife, Mrs. Darcy; my sister, Miss Darcy; Mr. and Mrs. Bingley; and Miss Bingley.”

Mr. Scarlett curtsied to the group, but then turned to the Colonel and said, “Would you like a tour of the house, Colonel Fitzwilliam?”

“Yes, thank you.” He glanced around for Miss Bingley, and then walked to her and offered his arm. She blushed furiously and took it.

Mrs. Scarlett took them on an extended tour of the entire place: formal drawing room, family drawing room, small breakfast room, small dining room, large formal dining room, the kitchen, the master and mistress suite, the six guest suites, the servants’ quarters. Everyone was exchanging looks of astonishment; the place was far larger than anyone had expected.

Mr. Darcy, of course, had seen it all before, and he had difficulty keeping the smile from his face. Finally, Richard turned to him and said, “But why?”

“Why is it so big? The Earl of Huntingdon’s father used it as a country retreat, though it is but an hour from London. There were a number of house parties here, hosted by the old Earl. The current Earl has no taste for such things, which is one of the reasons he was so ready to sell when his manager gave his notice.”

“What think you, Miss Bingley?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked softly.

“It is everything lovely!” she replied, enthusiastically.

“Do you think you could live here?”

She was taken aback by his boldness and did not at first know how to answer. Finally, she said, looking at him directly, “I think any young lady would be happy to do so.”

Mr. Darcy chose that moment to call out, “Come, let us look at the stables!”

He had been so close to getting an answer from Miss Bingley! Why had Darcy chosen that moment – but no, Miss Bingley deserved a formal proposal, one that she would remember all her life. And a ring! He needed a ring for her. Doubtless his mother could guide him there.

Colonel Fitzwilliam spent a good deal of time looking through the stables. The lines of each horse had been recorded in a large book kept in the stable, and he knew he would memorise the book so as to understand which mares should be put to which stallions. He recalled that his General needed a new horse, and he found a horse that would do very well for him.

When the stables had been duly admired, the Darcy footmen brought out several large hampers of food, and a picnic was laid out on the lawn. It was spring now, and Elmstree was showing to advantage, with its lush lawns and fragrant flower gardens.

“What do you think, Caroline?” Jane whispered.

“It is lovely!”

“It is indeed, and surely you saw the Colonel paying special attention to you! He deliberately sought you out and offered you his arm!”

“He did,” Caroline said. “And then he asked me if I could live here!”

“Oh, Caroline! Surely he would not ask that if he thought his parents would disapprove!”

“I do not know,” Caroline whispered. “But I hope very much that you are right!”